Comparing a schedule to wide receivers is admittedly a
spotty proposition. This is largely since unlike quarterbacks
and runningbacks, each team will typically employ three
main receivers and one or two of them will be the most
significant. Tough defenses may shut down all receivers,
it may only shut down all but the "go to" guy.
In some cases, they will do everything to shut down the
#1 guy and take their chances on the others.

The Rams get the top spot in ease mostly thanks to an
NFC West that has been unlucky with cornerbacks. Tampa
Bay gets the next easier schedule and that may be significant
given the tough rushing schedule and lack of credible ground
game. Thrown in every team gunning for the 2003 Champs
and the Buccaneers may need a bit more action from Keyshawn
and company.

The three main offenses which face the toughest times
for receivers are New England that sputtered in the air
the second half of last season, the Chargers who have a
new receiver in David Boston to play with and the Texans
who no one is expecting to "go Oakland" this
season anyway.

Wide Receivers - First Six Weeks

Games:

Good

Bad

Games:

Good

Bad

Games:

Good

Bad

Games:

Good

Bad

STL

4

2

MIN

3

3

MIA

2

3

PHI

2

4

DEN

3

0

BAL

2

1

OAK

2

3

IND

1

2

DAL

3

2

CLE

2

1

SEA

2

3

PIT

1

2

GB

3

2

TEN

2

1

SF

2

3

CAR

1

3

WAS

3

2

BUF

2

2

TB

2

3

NE

1

4

ATL

3

3

CHI

2

2

NO

2

4

SD

0

2

DET

3

3

KC

2

2

NYG

2

4

CIN

0

3

JAX

3

3

ARZ

2

3

NYJ

2

4

HOU

0

3

Best

WK

1

2

3

4

5

6

DAL

ATL

@NYG

BYE

@NYJ

ARZ

PHI

DEN

@CIN

@SD

OAK

DET

@KC

PIT

GB

MIN

DET

@ARZ

@CHI

SEA

KC

STL

@NYG

SF

@SEA

ARZ

BYE

ATL

WAS

NYJ

@ATL

NYG

NE

@PHI

TB

Worst

WK

1

2

3

4

5

6

CAR

JAX

@TB

BYE

ATL

NO

@IND

CIN

DEN

@OAK

PIT

@CLE

@BUF

BYE

HOU

@MIA

@NO

KC

JAX

BYE

@TEN

IND

@CLE

TEN

JAX

@NO

@TB

CAR

NE

@BUF

@PHI

NYJ

@WAS

TEN

NYG

PIT

BAL

@KC

@CIN

TEN

CLE

@DEN

SD

@KC

DEN

BAL

@OAK

@JAX

BYE

The first six weeks should be easier for the Rams and
Broncos, with St. Louis having the easiest schedule even
with a bye week included. Houston and Cincinnati open against
a tough set of opponents for receivers and both teams throw
in a bye to ensure that their initial numbers are lower.
The Chargers not only get no games against the easiest
dozen defenses against receivers, they have three road
games and a bye to contend with while Drew Brees searches
for Boston over the middle.

Wide Receivers - Weeks 14, 15 and 16

Games:

Good

Bad

Games:

Good

Bad

Games:

Good

Bad

Games:

Good

Bad

CAR

3

0

SEA

2

1

NYG

1

1

TEN

1

2

DET

2

0

WAS

2

1

NYJ

1

1

DEN

0

1

JAX

2

0

BAL

1

0

PIT

1

1

OAK

0

1

SF

2

0

CIN

1

1

SD

1

1

CLE

0

2

TB

2

0

DAL

1

1

STL

1

1

HOU

0

2

ARZ

2

1

GB

1

1

ATL

1

2

MIN

0

2

KC

2

1

MIA

1

1

CHI

1

2

NE

0

2

PHI

2

1

NO

1

1

IND

1

2

BUF

0

3

Best

WK

14

15

16

CAR

@ATL

@ARZ

DET

DET

SD

@KC

@CAR

JAX

HOU

@NE

NO

SF

ARZ

@CIN

@PHI

TB

@NO

HOU

ATL

Worst

WK

14

15

16

BUF

NYJ

@TEN

MIA

CLE

STL

@DEN

BAL

HOU

@JAX

@TB

TEN

MIN

SEA

@CHI

KC

NE

MIA

JAX

@NYJ

The Panthers receiving crew gets the easiest schedule
during fantasy playoffs though two are on the road. The
Buccaneers play weeks fifteen and sixteen at home against
accommodating defenses. The worst schedule, but with two
home stands, belongs to the Bills who will be trying to
pretend Josh Reed is as good as Peerless Price was while
facing three straight defenses that were tough on wide
outs for 2002.

The most notable aspect to receivers and their schedules
is the importance they have to their team. Good passing
schedules may mean big numbers for the studs, but they
could just as easily mean big numbers to share with other
receivers who finally get in on the act. Keep an eye out
for the schedule, but never allow it alone to determine
whether to start a receiver.